Knorr-Bremse to Close Dresden Plant, Impacting Dozens of Jobs

Dresden - In a significant shift, Knorr-Bremse, a major player in the braking systems sector, has announced the closure of its Dresden facility, Heine Resistors, after more than 120 years of operation. The production will be relocated to Poland as part of the company's strategy to cut costs in response to current market conditions.

As part of this transition, 65 employees will be affected, including 42 electricians, metalworkers, and welders who will lose their jobs. Knorr-Bremse, headquartered in Munich, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the works council and staff to identify fair and responsible solutions to the impending job losses.

Despite the closure of the production line, the Dresden site will remain operational, retaining key functions such as management, project management, administration, development, and sales, according to company representatives.

The decision to shift production has sparked concern among employees, and the IG Metall union has voiced its disapproval. The union accuses Knorr-Bremse of engaging in tariff evasion and shifting jobs overseas. Last Thursday, employees demonstrated outside the facility, expressing their determination to resist the job cuts with chants indicating their frustration over losing their livelihoods.

Werner Ratzisberger, a member of the supervisory board, expressed solidarity with the Dresden employees, emphasizing efforts to preserve jobs. He stated that Knorr-Bremse should be able to sustain production jobs within Germany. Philipp Gola, deputy chairman of the works council at Heine Resistors, echoed this sentiment, arguing that the company's financial performance over the past years should support the case for maintaining production in Germany rather than moving it abroad.

Heine Resistors has been a staple in the Dresden area since its establishment in 1904 and has been part of Knorr-Bremse since 2012. The plant primarily manufactures electronic resistors for industrial and railway applications. Knorr-Bremse is recognized as a global leader in braking systems for rail and commercial vehicles, reporting a revenue of EUR7.2 billion in 2024 and employing over 33,000 personnel across more than 100 locations worldwide.